Door pressure gauges are a convenient and accurate way to measure the opening of doors and windows. The basic tool is a spring-loaded clip that is attached to the door or window frame, usually on the interior side but occasionally on the exterior. Pressure gauge measurements are displayed in digital form. A more complex door gauge is a motorized door gauge that can be used for manual or automatic opening. Door gauges are commonly used for building inspections and for security purposes. However, the general purpose of door gauges is to provide an accurate reading of the pressure inside a door or window.
When using door gauges, it’s best to follow these simple steps (except where manufacturer recommendations otherwise) for accuracy: Open the door so the face edge coincides with the door opening edge. Position gauge immediately above door operation hardware about 2 inches above the hinges on the door jamb. Make sure the blade of the diaphragm is aligned with the rotary screw in the housing and that screws are engaging the bore on the inside of the cover plate. Use appropriate type of building inspection tools for building inspections and application of building inspections tools.
The most common types of building gauges are mounted on building instrument panels in order to determine the peak pressure as well as the range of ambient air pressure experienced by the door during normal operation. The most popular type of door pressure gauges is used for fire door inspections and the performance of door springs. The other type of gauge is a portable pressure gauge intended to provide door-opening force measurement, or maximum operating pressure. This kind of pressure gauge is normally mounted on a rack located near the door to facilitate quick access.